Benefits of flexible working

Introduce flexible working in your business

Introducing flexible working need not be difficult, but it is important to plan, implement and monitor its introduction across the business.

It is good practice to keep employees informed and to consult them before you introduce the policy. This should help employees to consider the question of work-life balance from your business' perspective as well as their own.

Consider the likely effects on other systems and procedures. For example, you will probably need to introduce new ways of recording working patterns and monitoring absence. Existing contracts may have to be changed with the prior written agreement of the employees.

When planning to implement a home-working policy, for example, you will need to consider the following points:

• What flexible working arrangements will suit your business?
• How will applications be considered?
• Are there jobs that might be difficult to do from home?
• If there are, what is the nature of the obstacle and can it be overcome?
• How flexible are your IT arrangements?
• Is there someone competent who could carry out risk assessments at the employee's home?
• On what basis would office furniture and equipment be provided?
• Who will pay the cost of Internet and email access and telephone bills for business calls?
• What arrangements will you make to give homeworkers access to training and development opportunities?

Also, bear in mind the legal implications - for example, you can read about the rights of working parents at the DTI website and you can source information on part-time workers' regulations at the DTI website. You can also see our guide on hours, rest breaks and the working week.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Types of flexible working
• Business impact of flexible working
• Introduce flexible working in your business
• The law on flexible working
• Here's how flexible working has benefited employees and our business

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